"This is the first time such a thing ever happened to me while I was watching the game; and it's the more surprising, because I wasn't in line with the pins. So it must have been done on purpose; but why should the fellow aim at my legs? I didn't make any comment on his play--I didn't have any dispute with him.--This will certainly leave a mark on my legs.--Where in the deuce has Monsieur Arthur gone? That man is too quick-tempered." In a few minutes, Cherami returned, flushed and triumphant, crying: "You are avenged, my dear Courbichon! yes, what anyone would call thoroughly avenged; the rascal has had what he deserved; and here's the proof." As he spoke, he handed his new friend his beautiful cane broken in two. Monsieur Courbichon was dumfounded, and gazed with an air of consternation at the pieces of the cane. "Ah! mon Dieu!" he faltered; "it is broken!" "True--it is broken; but I broke it on the back of the ragamuffin who threw his ball at your skittles--I mean, your legs." "What a pity! You struck him too hard." "One cannot strike an enemy too hard." "Such a pretty cane!" "You still have the pieces--or, at all events, the head; you can have it put on another stick." "It was a genuine rattan." "Pardieu! it was genuine enough; the fact that it broke so soon proves that. But there are other rattans in the shops." "I'm very sorry that you broke my cane." "If you hadn't lost my Chinese switch, I would have beaten him with that; and that wouldn't have broken, I promise you!" "It makes me feel very bad--my beautiful cane!" "Saperlotte! are you going to cry over it? Oughtn't you rather to thank me for avenging the insult to your legs? Come, take your cane, and let us go and dine; the walk has given me an appetite." Poor Courbichon, with a lachrymose expression, took the pieces of his cane, and submitted to be led away by Cherami, who took his arm and conducted him to one of the best restaurants on the Champs-Elysees. They took their seats out-of-doors, at one of the tables surrounded by hedges in such wise as to form private rooms with walls of verdure. Courbichon placed the fragments of his cane on a chair by his side, heaving a profound sigh; for his new friend intimidated him so that he no longer dared, in his presence, to betray the chagrin caused by the spectacle of his broken treasure. Cherami ordered the dinner, saying: "Rely on me; I will order the dinner; and as we are sensible men and have no women with us, there's no need of our making fools of ourselves. We don't want to have a magnificent feast, but simply to dine comfortably. Is that your idea?" "Exactly; still----" "You have just the disposition I like! I shall mark with a white cross--_album dies!_--the day which brought us together and enabled me to return your cane. I regret that you lost my Chinese switch! but you have your cane; that's the main thing!"